Order of Worship
Let us be as open vessels that God’s spirit may enter.
The Community Gathers: Experience God’s presence in the assembly. Please greet one another with joy and welcome new friends into our community of love.
You are welcome here…come and worship!
Focus: “Faith is being sure of what we hope for, and certain of what we do not see.” Hebrews 11:1
Gathering Music: Fields of Gold (by Sting)/Paul McCartney)
-Michelle Currie
Welcome: Rev. Paula Norbert
Responsive Call to Worship:
L: Just as the heavens burst forth in praise to God….
P: We celebrate God’s abundant and powerful love.
L: Day by day, and night by night…..
P: God watches over us, loving and healing us.
L: Come, celebrate with joy the love of God.
P: Open our hearts and spirits, Lord, and teach us your ways. Amen.
Opening Hymn: Come, Live in the Light! #749
Invocation
O God of mercy and consolation, we have come this day to hear your words of healing love and hope. Enter our hearts and our spirits and teach us to follow you. Give us courage and strength to be your faithful disciples. Amen.
Lord’s Prayer:
Awakening: My City of Ruins (by Bruce Springsteen) -Michelle Currie
Scripture: Isaiah 40: 1-5, Mark 8: 34-38, A Memorial Prayer by
Rev. Jimmy Orr -Cris Hudson
After the reading, you may respond “Thanks Be to God”
Sermon: The Gospel According to Springsteen Rev. Paula Norbert
Response: Instrumental -Michelle Currie
Musical call to Prayer: (two times) Hush now in quiet peace, be still your mind at ease. The Spirit brings release, so wait upon the Lord.
Prayers of the People:
Silent Prayers Pastoral Prayer
Offertory: Wind Beneath My Wings (by Larry Henley/Jeff Sibar) -Michelle Currie
Doxology: Praise God from whom all blessings flow, Praise God all creatures here below. Praise God above ye heavenly hosts, Creator, Christ and Holy Ghost. Amen.
Prayer of Dedication:
Closing Hymn: On Eagle’s Wings #43
Benediction:
May you go in peace and know that God walks with you on this journey. Bring the good news of Christ’s healing love to all whom you meet.
Response: Amen
Recessional: Go in Peace
Go in peace and the peace of God be with you this day.
Go in peace and the peace of God be with you always.
celebrate and share the joy. Celebrate new life.
Go in peace and the peace of God be with you always.
Thank you to our Music Director and Musician today, Michelle Currie.
Thanks to our Reader and Zoom Host.
Rev. Paula Norbert (207) 205-4951 or (pnorbert1217@gmail.com)
If you are interested in joining Union Church or would like to set up a time to meet with our Pastor, please contact Pastor Paula directly.
Union Church website: www.unionchurchme.com. Church Address: Union Church, P.O. Box 344, B.P. ME. 04006.
For Your Reflection…
Geese appear high over us, pass, and the sky closes.
Abandon, as in love or sleep, holds them to their way,
clear in the ancient faith.
What we need is here,
And we pray,
not for new earth or heaven,
but to be quiet in heart, and in eye, clear.
What we need is here.
Wendell Berry
The Rising by Bruce Springsteen
Can’t see nothing in front of me
Can’t see nothing coming up behind
Make my way through this darkness
Can’t feel nothing but this chain that binds me
Lost track of how far I’ve gone
How far I’ve gone, how high I’ve climbed
On my back’s a sixty pound stone
On my shoulder, half a mile of line
Come on up for the rising
Come on up, lay your hand in mine
Come on up for the rising
Come on up for the rising tonight
Left the house this morning
Bells were ringing and they filled the air
Wearing the cross of my calling
On wheels of fire, I come rolling down here
Come on up for the rising
Come on up, lay your hands in mine
Come on up for the rising
Come on up for the rising tonight
La la la, la la la la la la (repeat)
Spirits above and behind me
Faces gone black, eyes burning bright
May their precious blood forever bind me
Lord, as I stand before your fiery light
La la la, la la la la la la (repeat)
I see Mary in the garden
In the garden of a thousand sighs
There’s holy pictures of our children
Dancing in a sky filled with light
May I feel your arms around me
May I feel your blood mixed with mine
Dream of life coming to me
Like a catfish dancing on the end of my line
Sky of blackness, sky of sorrow
Sky of love and sky of tears
Sky of glory and sadness
Sky of mercy, sky of fear
Sky of memory and sorrow
Your burning wind fills my heart tonight
Sky of longing and emptiness
Sky of fullness, sky of blessed life
Come on up for the rising
Come on up, lay your hands in mine
Lay your hand in mine, lay your hand in mine
Come on up for the rising tonight
La la la, la la la la la la (repeat)
Sky of blackness, dream of life
Dream of life Dream of life
Dream of life
My City of Ruins by Bruce Springsteen
There’s a blood red circle
On the cold dark ground
And the rain is falling down
The church door’s thrown open
I can hear the organ’s song
But the congregation’s gone
My city of ruins
My city is in ruins
Now the sweet bells of mercy
Drift through the evening trees
Young men on the corner
Like scattered leaves
The boarded up windows
The empty streets
While my brother’s down on his knees
My city of ruins
My city is in ruins
Now there’s tears on the pillow
Darlin’, where we slept
And you took my heart when you left
Without your sweet kiss
My soul is lost, my friend
Tell me how do I begin again?
My city’s in ruins
My city’s in ruins
Now with these hands
With these hands, I pray Lord
With these hands
With these hands
I pray for the strength, Lord
With these hands
With these hands
I pray for your love, Lord
With these hands
With these hands
Yeah, I pray for the lost Lord
With these hands
With these hands
I pray for your chains, Lord
With these hands
With these hands
I pray for the faith, Lord
With these hands
With these hands
I pray for your love, Lord
With these hands (come on)
With these hands (come on)
Come on, rise up (repeat)